Tennessee vs. South Carolina predictions: Who has the edge?

QUARTERBACKS

Neither Quinten Dormady nor Jarrett Guarantano could move the team against Georgia, though that failure hardly was on the quarterbacks alone. Nonetheless, the Vols will give Guarantano his first start against the Gamecocks. South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley hasn’t always had a lot of help, either. But he’s tough and clutch, as Tennessee found out last season when Bentley led a Gamecocks victory as a true freshman. He’s a drop-back passer

Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones during the Vol Walk before the Tennessee vs. South Carolina game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 in Knoxville, Tenn.

RUNNING BACKS

South Carolina running back Rico Dowdle, who rushed for 764 yards last season, is off to a slow start (187 yards in six games) because of injury, but Ty’Son Williams, a North Carolina transfer, has picked up the slack with 281 yards. John Kelly has been the leader of Tennessee’s offense since the first snap of the season. He has rushed for 494 yards and caught 22 passes for 229 yards. No other UT running back has totaled more than 74 yards rushing.

Advantage: Tennessee

RECEIVERS

South Carolina’s receiving corps took a huge early-season hit when wide receiver Deebo Samuel was injured. In Samuel’s absence, 6-foot-3 sophomore Bryan Edwards (27 catches) has become Bentley’s favorite target. Freshmen Tre Smith and Shi Smith also are having an impact. Tight end Hayden Hurst, a 6-5 junior, has 19 catches for 297 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown reception against Arkansas. He’s also an occasional threat as a runner. UT wide receiver Marquez Callaway is averaging 24.8 yards a catch and has scored three touchdowns but hasn’t had a reception the past two games. Brandon Johnson, who was shut out against Georgia, leads the Vols with 18 catches. Tight end Ethan Wolf has totaled three receptions for 20 yards in the past two games.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Gamecocks offensive line, which has been wracked by injuries, was without three starters in its victory over Arkansas. Offensive tackle Zack Bailey (ankle) is supposedly the closest to returning. Attrition also has affected UT’s offensive line. Tackle Chance Hall is out for the season with a knee injury, and backup offensive lineman Venzell Boulware quit the team after the Georgia loss. Center Jashon Robertson, a four-year starter, and freshman Trey Smith have been solid.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Vols will be without suspended end Darrell Taylor for the first half against the Gamecocks. Backup Kyle Phillips will start in his place. Tackle Kendal Vickers leads Tennessee’s down linemen with 25 tackles and four tackles for loss. The Vols rank 123rd nationally in run defense. South Carolina is tied for 57th. Sophomore end D. J. Wonnum, who has been South Carolina’s most productive defensive lineman, gave Arkansas fits. He will be a challenge for UT’s offensive tackles.

Advantage: South Carolina

Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen (8) attempts a pass against South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

LINEBACKERS

Senior Skai Moore, who sat out last season with a herniated disc, has picked up where he left off in 2015. He has 42 tackles, two interceptions and five tackles for loss. T.J. Brunson leads the Gamecocks with 49 tackles and had a fumble return for a touchdown against Arkansas. Sophomore Daniel Bituli has been the Vols’ leading tackler ever since he had 23 tackles in the season opener against Georgia Tech. Colton Jumper has become a major playmaker with a team-leading 4.5 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss. Quart’e Sapp also has given the defense a boost since replacing injured Cortez McDowell.

Advantage: South Carolina

SECONDARY

Hard-hitting safety Nigel Warrior ranks second on the team with 36 tackles and has forced two fumbles. Rashuan Gaulden has an interception and forced fumble to go along with his 30 tackles, including two for loss. Chris Lammons leads the Gamecocks secondary with 27 tackles.

Advantage: Tennessee

Trevor Daniel (93) maintains eye contact with a ball he punted during a University of Tennessee football preseason practice, at University of Tennessee on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Aaron Medley and Brent Cimaglia have combined to make four of seven field-goal attempts, and Trevor Daniel is averaging 47.3 yards per punt. Callaway is averaging 13.6 yards as a punt returner, and Ty Chandler has a kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Vols miss All-American kick returner Evan Berry, who hasn’t played since the season opener because of a leg injury. The loss of Samuel hurt South Carolina’s returns as well as its passing game. Joseph Charlton averages 44.2 yards per punt. Parker White, who is 4-for-11, is a miss waiting to happen.

Advantage: Tennessee

South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp, during the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016.

PREDICTION

The Vols have been awful in their past two home games, a 17-13 victory over UMass and a 41-0 loss to Georgia. South Carolina’s struggling running game and a disastrous kicking game bode well for the Vols. But they will miss Taylor, and who knows how a quarterback change will work out?

SOUTH CAROLINA 17, TENNESSEE 16

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.

South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley (19) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Tennessee defensive lineman Kyle Phillips (5) celebrates a play during the Tennessee Volunteers vs. UMass Minutemen game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 23, 2017.